Communication method and communications apparatus

ABSTRACT

In a communication method, a first access network device sends first information to a second access network device, where the first information is used to indicate that the first access network device has notified a core network device that a quality of service requirement of at least one quality of service flow cannot be met; the second access network device may send second information to the core network device, where the second information is used to notify the core network device that a quality of service requirement of a first quality of service flow in the at least one quality of service flow can be met, and the first quality of service flow is a quality of service flow that has been handed over from the first access network device to the second access network device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Patent ApplicationNo. PCT/CN2019/087827, filed on May 21, 2019, which claims priority toChinese Patent Application No. 201810491245.7, filed on May 21, 2018.The disclosures of the aforementioned applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to the field of communications technologies,and in particular, to a communication method and a communicationsapparatus.

BACKGROUND

In a next generation communications system, a terminal device mayestablish at least one packet data unit (PDU) session with a corenetwork device using an access network device. For each PDU session, atleast one quality of service (QoS) flow may be established, and aquality of service requirement for transmitting a data packet using adata radio bearer (DRB) corresponding to each QoS flow is configured forthe QoS flow. If a quality of service requirement of a quality ofservice flow cannot be met when a data packet is transmitted using a DRBcorresponding to the QoS flow, the access network device may notify thecore network device of a notification control status corresponding tothe QoS flow, and the notification control status is used to indicatethat the quality of service requirement of the QoS flow cannot be met,such that the core network device makes a policy decision again on theQoS flow. The policy decision is, for example, deleting or modifying theQoS flow.

In some communication scenarios, for example, when a terminal device ishanded over between access network devices, a PDU session that has beenestablished in the terminal device may be handed over between the accessnetwork devices. Correspondingly, a QoS flow corresponding to the PDUsession may also be handed over between the access network devices.However, because a DRB established by a source access network devicebefore the handover may be different from a DRB established by a targetaccess network device after the handover, when a data packet istransmitted using different DRBs corresponding to a QoS flow before andafter the handover, notification control statuses of the QoS flow mayalso be different. Because the core network device cannot perceive thehandover of the QoS flow between the access network devices, it is verylikely that a notification control status that is of the QoS flow andthat is recorded by the core network device is still a notificationcontrol status notified by the source access network device before thehandover. Consequently, a notification control status that is of the QoSflow and that is recorded by the target access network device after thehandover may be unsynchronized with the notification control status thatis of the QoS flow and that is recorded by the core network device, andthe core network device is prone to make a wrong policy decision on theQoS flow.

SUMMARY

This application provides a communication method and a communicationsapparatus, to avoid out-of-synchronization that may exist betweennotification control statuses of a QoS flow that are recorded on anaccess network side and a core network side after the QoS flow is handedover on the access network side.

According to a first aspect, a communication method is provided. In themethod, in a process in which at least one QoS flow is handed over froma first access network device to a second access network device, thefirst access network device sends first information to the second accessnetwork device, where the first information is used to indicate that thefirst access network device has notified a core network device that aquality of service requirement of the at least one QoS flow cannot bemet. After receiving the first information sent by the first accessnetwork device, the second access network device may send secondinformation to the core network device, where the second information isused to notify the core network device that a quality of servicerequirement of a first QoS flow in the at least one QoS flow can be met,and the first QoS flow is a QoS flow that has been handed over from thefirst access network device to the second access network device.

Further, after receiving the information, sent by the second accessnetwork device, indicating that the quality of service requirement ofthe first QoS flow can be met, a session management function (SMF)network element in the core network device may notify a policy controlfunction (PCF) network element that the quality of service requirementof the first QoS flow can be met.

In the foregoing method, in a process in which the QoS flow is handedover, the first access network device may notify the second accessnetwork device of information about a state in which the quality ofservice requirement of the at least one QoS flow cannot be met and thathas been notified to the core network device. After the first QoS flowin the at least one QoS flow is successfully handed over to the secondaccess network device, the second access network device may consider, bydefault, that the quality of service requirement of the successfullyhanded-over first QoS flow can be met, and then may notify the corenetwork device that the quality of service requirement of thesuccessfully handed-over QoS flow can be met. In this way, anotification control status that is of the QoS flow and that isperceived by a core network side can be synchronized with a notificationcontrol status that is of the QoS flow and that is recorded on an accessnetwork side after the handover, in order to prevent the core networkside from making a wrong policy decision.

In a possible implementation, the first information may include anidentifier of the at least one QoS flow. Alternatively, the firstinformation may include an identifier of the at least one QoS flow and anotification control status of the at least one QoS flow. Thenotification control status is a first state, and the first state isused to indicate that the quality of service requirement of the at leastone QoS flow cannot be met. In foregoing manner, the first accessnetwork device sends the first information to the second access networkdevice, such that the second access network device can learn a statusthat is of the at least one QoS flow and that is recorded on the corenetwork side. Subsequently, the second access network device may notifythe core network side of a latest notification control status of the QoSflow after the handover, to ensure notification control statusesrecorded on the core network side and the second access network devicecan be synchronized with each other.

In a possible implementation, the first access network device may sendthe first information to the second access network device through aninterface connected to the second access network device.

When there is no interface connected between the first access networkdevice and the second access network device, the first information maybe forwarded using the core network side. In an implementation, thefirst access network device may send the first information to the secondaccess network device using an access and mobility management function(AMF) network element. The AMF network element may transparently forwardthe first information.

In a possible implementation, after sending the second information tothe core network device, if the second access network device detectsthat the quality of service requirement of the first QoS flow cannot bemet, the second access network device may immediately send thirdinformation to the core network device, where the third information isused to notify the core network device that the quality of servicerequirement of the first QoS flow cannot be met. In comparison withother approaches in which the second access network device needs to waita period of time before reporting the notification control status of theQoS flow again, the foregoing implementations provided in thisapplication can enable the core network device to perceive the latestnotification control status of the QoS flow in a timely manner.

In a possible implementation, after receiving the information, sent bythe second access network device, indicating that the quality of servicerequirement of the first QoS flow can be met, and determining that areceived notification control status that is of the at least one QoSflow and that is sent by the first access network device is the firststate, the SMF network element may notify the PCF network element thatthe quality of service requirement of the first QoS flow can be met. Thefirst state is used to indicate that the quality of service requirementof the at least one QoS flow cannot be met. In the foregoing manner, theSMF network element may selectively notify the PCF network element of alatest notification control status of a QoS flow whose notificationcontrol statuses recorded on the core network side and the accessnetwork side after the handover are inconsistent with each other, andmay not notify a QoS flow whose recorded notification control statusesare consistent.

According to a second aspect, a communication method is provided. In themethod, when at least one QoS flow has been handed over from a firstaccess network device to the second access network device, the secondaccess network device may send fourth information to a core networkdevice, where the fourth information is used to notify the core networkdevice that a quality of service requirement of the at least one QoSflow can be met. Further, after receiving the information, sent by thesecond access network device, indicating that the quality of servicerequirement of the at least one QoS flow can be met, an SMF networkelement may send fifth information to a PCF network element, where thefifth information is used to notify the PCF network element that anotification control status of the at least one QoS flow can be met.Optionally, the at least one QoS flow belongs to all QoS flows that havebeen successfully handed over from the first access network device tothe second access network device and that require notification control.

In the foregoing method, participation of the first access networkdevice before the handover is not required, and the second accessnetwork device directly notifies notification control statuses of allsuccessfully handed-over QoS flows to the core network device, such thatthe core network device can perceive a notification control status ofthe handed-over QoS flow in a timely manner, and a notification controlstatus that is of the QoS flow and that is perceived by a core networkside is synchronized with a notification control status that is of theQoS flow and that is recorded on an access network side after thehandover, in order to prevent the core network side from making a wrongpolicy decision.

In a possible implementation, after sending the fourth information tothe PCF network element, if the second access network device detectsthat the quality of service requirement of the at least one QoS flowcannot be met, the second access network device may immediately notifythe core network device that the quality of service requirement of theat least one QoS flow cannot be met. In comparison with other approachesin which the second access network device needs to wait a period of timebefore reporting the notification control status of the QoS flow again,the foregoing implementations provided in this application can enablethe core network device to perceive a latest notification control statusof the QoS flow in a timely manner.

In a possible implementation, after receiving the fourth informationsent by the second access network device, and determining that areceived notification control status that is of the at least one QoSflow and that is sent by the first access network device is a firststate, the SMF network element may send the fifth information to the PCFnetwork element. The first state is used to indicate that the quality ofservice requirement of the at least one QoS flow cannot be met. In theforegoing manner, the SMF network element may selectively notify the PCFnetwork element of a latest notification control status of a QoS flowwhose notification control statuses recorded on the core network sideand the access network side after the handover, and may not notify a QoSflow whose recorded notification control statuses are consistent.

According to a third aspect, a communication method is provided. In themethod, an SMF network element determines a received notificationcontrol status that is of at least one QoS flow and that is sent by afirst access network device, and when a second QoS flow in the at leastone QoS flow has been handed over from a first access network device toa second access network device, the SMF network element determines athird QoS flow whose notification control status is a first state in thesecond QoS flow. Further, the SMF network element updates thenotification control status of the third QoS flow to a second state, andsends sixth information to a PCF network element, where the sixthinformation is used to notify the PCF network element that thenotification control status of the third QoS flow is the second state.The first state is used to indicate that a quality of servicerequirement of the at least one QoS flow cannot be met, and the secondstate is used to indicate that the quality of service requirement of theat least one QoS flow can be met.

In the foregoing method, the QoS flow is handed over generally because aquality of service requirement of the QoS flow in a source accessnetwork device cannot be met, and the QoS flow needs to be handed overto a target access network device in which the quality of servicerequirement can be met. Based on this, after determining thesuccessfully handed-over QoS flow, the SMF network element may consider,by default, that a quality of service requirement of the QoS flow cannotbe met as previous recorded, but now can be met, and then notify the PCFnetwork element, such that the PCF network element can perceive a statusof the successfully handed-over QoS flow in a timely manner, and avoidmaking a wrong decision.

In a possible implementation, before determining the third QoS flowwhose notification control status is the first state in the second QoSflow, the SMF network element may further receive seventh informationsent by an AMF network element, where the seventh information includesan identifier of the second QoS flow that has been handed over from thefirst access network device to the second access network device, suchthat the SMF network element can learn the QoS flow that has beensuccessfully handed over.

According to a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. In themethod, an SMF network element may determine that at least one QoS flowis handed over from a first access network device to a second accessnetwork device, and then the SMF network element may send eighthinformation to a PCF network element, where the eighth information isused to indicate that the at least one QoS flow is handed over from thefirst access network device to the second access network device. Afterreceiving the eighth information sent by the SMF network element, thePCF network element may determine a QoS flow whose notification controlstatus is a first state in the at least one QoS flow, and update thenotification control status of the determined QoS flow to a secondstate. The first state is used to indicate that a quality of servicerequirement of the determined QoS flow cannot be met, and the secondstate is used to indicate that the quality of service requirement of thedetermined QoS flow can be met.

In an implementation, a handover indication trigger may be configuredfor the PCF network element. After receiving third information that issent by the SMF network element and that indicates that the at least oneQoS flow has been successfully handed over, the PCF network element maybe triggered to perform an operation of updating the notificationcontrol status of the QoS flow.

In the foregoing method, the SMF network element may notify the PCFnetwork element that the at least one QoS flow has been successfullyhanded over, such that the PCF network element can perceive a handoverof the QoS flow in a timely manner, and then update a notificationcontrol status of the successfully handed-over QoS flow in a timelymanner, to ensure as much as possible that the notification controlstatus is synchronized with a notification control status that is of theQoS flow and that is recorded by an access network side after thehandover, and avoid making a wrong decision.

According to a fifth aspect, this application provides a first type ofcommunications apparatus. The communications apparatus has a function ofimplementing the first access network device in the first aspect. Forexample, the communications apparatus includes a corresponding module,unit, or means for performing the steps in the first aspect by the firstaccess network device. The function, the module, the unit, or the meansmay be implemented by software, or may be implemented by hardware, ormay be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software.

In a possible design, the communications apparatus may include aprocessing module and a transceiver module. The processing module andthe transceiver module may perform a corresponding function of the firstaccess network device in the method provided in any one of the firstaspect or the possible implementations of the first aspect.

In another possible design, the communications apparatus may include aprocessor, and may further include a transceiver. The transceiver isconfigured to receive and send a signal, and the processor executes aprogram instruction to complete the method performed by the first accessnetwork device in any one of the first aspect or the possibleimplementations of the first aspect.

The communications apparatus may further include one or more memories.The memory is configured to be coupled to the processor, and the memorystores a computer program instruction and/or data required forimplementing the function of the first access network device in thefirst aspect. The processor may execute the computer program instructionstored in the memory to complete the method performed by the firstaccess network device in any one of the first aspect or the possibleimplementations of the first aspect.

According to a sixth aspect, this application provides a second type ofcommunications apparatus. The communications apparatus has a function ofimplementing the second access network device in the first aspect or thesecond aspect. For example, the communications apparatus includes acorresponding module, unit, or means for performing the steps in thefirst aspect or the second aspect by the second access network device.The function, the module, the unit, or the means may be implemented bysoftware, or may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented byhardware executing corresponding software.

In a possible design, the communications apparatus may include aprocessing module and a transceiver module. The processing module andthe transceiver module may perform a corresponding function of thesecond access network device in the method provided in any one of thefirst aspect or the possible implementations of the first aspect, or theprocessing module and the transceiver module may perform a correspondingfunction of the second access network device in the method provided inany one of the second aspect or the possible implementations of thesecond aspect.

In another possible design, the communications apparatus may include aprocessor, and may further include a transceiver. The transceiver isconfigured to receive and send a signal, and the processor executes aprogram instruction to complete the method performed by the secondaccess network device in any one of the first aspect or the possibleimplementations of the first aspect, or to complete the method performedby the second access network device in any one of the second aspect orthe possible implementations of the second aspect.

The communications apparatus may further include one or more memories.The memory is configured to be coupled to the processor, and the memorystores a computer program instruction and/or data required forimplementing the function of the second access network device in thefirst aspect or the second aspect. The processor may execute thecomputer program instruction stored in the memory to complete the methodperformed by the first access network device in any one of the firstaspect or the possible implementations of the first aspect, or tocomplete the method performed by the second access network device in anyone of the second aspect or the possible implementations of the secondaspect.

According to a seventh aspect, this application provides a third type ofcommunications apparatus. The communications apparatus has a function ofimplementing the SMF network element in any one of the first aspect tothe fourth aspect. For example, the communications apparatus includes acorresponding module, unit, or means for performing the steps in any oneof the first aspect to the fourth aspect by the SMF network element. Thefunction, the module, the unit, or the means may be implemented bysoftware, or may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented byhardware executing corresponding software.

In a possible design, the communications apparatus may include aprocessing module and a transceiver module. The processing module andthe transceiver module may perform a corresponding function of the SMFnetwork element in the method provided in any one of the first aspect tothe fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the aspect.

In another possible design, the communications apparatus may include aprocessor, and may further include a transceiver. The transceiver isconfigured to receive and send a signal, and the processor executes aprogram instruction to complete the method performed by the SMF networkelement in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect or anypossible implementation of the aspect.

The communications apparatus may further include one or more memories.The memory is configured to be coupled to the processor, and the memorystores a computer program instruction and/or data required forimplementing the function of the SMF network element in any one of thefirst aspect to the fourth aspect. The processor may execute thecomputer program instruction stored in the memory to complete the methodperformed by the SMF network element in any one of the first aspect tothe fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the aspect.

According to an eighth aspect, this application provides a fourth typeof communications apparatus. The communications apparatus has a functionof implementing the PCF network element in the fourth aspect. Forexample, the communications apparatus includes a corresponding module,unit, or means for performing the steps in the fourth aspect by the PCFnetwork element. The function, the module, the unit, or the means may beimplemented by software, or may be implemented by hardware, or may beimplemented by hardware executing corresponding software.

In a possible design, the communications apparatus may include aprocessing module and a transceiver module. The processing module andthe transceiver module may perform a corresponding function of the PCFnetwork element in the method provided in any one of the fourth aspector the possible implementations of the fourth aspect.

In another possible design, the communications apparatus may include aprocessor, and may further include a transceiver. The transceiver isconfigured to receive and send a signal, and the processor executes aprogram instruction to complete the method performed by the PCF networkelement in any one of the fourth aspect or the possible implementationsof the fourth aspect.

The communications apparatus may further include one or more memories.The memory is configured to be coupled to the processor, and the memorystores a computer program instruction and/or data required forimplementing the function of the PCF network element in the fourthaspect. The processor may execute the computer program instructionstored in the memory to complete the method performed by the PCF networkelement in any one of the fourth aspect or the possible implementationsof the fourth aspect.

According to a ninth aspect, this application provides a communicationssystem. The communications system includes the first type ofcommunications apparatus in the fifth aspect, the second type ofcommunications apparatus in the sixth aspect, the third type ofcommunications apparatus in the seventh aspect, and the fourth type ofcommunications apparatus in the eighth aspect.

According to a tenth aspect, this application provides a chip. The chipmay be connected to a memory, and is configured to read and execute asoftware program stored in the memory, to implement the methods in theforegoing aspects.

According to an eleventh aspect, this application provides a computerstorage medium. The computer storage medium stores a computer-readableinstruction, and when a computer reads and executes thecomputer-readable instruction, the computer is enabled to perform themethods in the foregoing aspects.

According to a twelfth aspect, this application further provides acomputer program product including a software program. When the computerprogram product runs on a computer, the computer is enabled to performthe methods in the foregoing aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a network architectural diagram of a 5^(th) generation (5G)communications system according to this application;

FIG. 2 shows a QoS model based on a QoS flow according to thisapplication;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of establishing a QoS flow according tothis application;

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according toEmbodiment 1 of this application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a procedure of interaction between afirst radio access network (RAN) device and a second RAN device inScenario 1 according to Embodiment 1 of this application;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a procedure of interaction between afirst RAN device and a second RAN device in Scenario 2 according toEmbodiment 1 of this application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according toEmbodiment 2 of this application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart in which a second RAN device notifies acore network device of a notification control status of at least one QoSflow according to Embodiment 2 of this application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according toEmbodiment 3 of this application;

FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according toEmbodiment 4 of this application; and

FIG. 11 to FIG. 18 are schematic structural diagrams of communicationsapparatuses according to embodiments of this application.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of thisapplication clearer, the following further describes this application indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, a communications system to which the technical solutions providedin this application are applicable is described.

The technical solutions provided in this application are applicable tovarious communications systems, for example, a Long-Term Evolution (LTE)system, a 5th generation (5G) communications system, and another similarcommunications system. Illustratively, FIG. 1 is a network architecturaldiagram of a 5G communications system.

A terminal device may include a handheld device, a vehicle-mounteddevice, a wearable device, or a computing device with a wirelesscommunication function, or another processing device connected to awireless modem, and a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS),terminal equipment, and the like that are in various forms.

A (radio) access network ((R)AN) device may be configured to implementfunctions such as a radio physical layer function, radio resourcemanagement, radio access control, and mobility management. The RANdevice may include a base station, for example, an access node or accesspoint (AP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation evolvedNodeB (gNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a transmission point(TP), or another access node in a 5G system. It should be understoodthat, in the following description, the (R)AN devices are collectivelyreferred to as RAN devices for ease of description.

A user plane function (UPF) network element, as a function networkelement of a user plane, may be connected to an external data network.Main functions of the user plane function network element includefunctions related to the user plane, such as data packet routing andtransmission, packet detection, service usage reporting, QoS processing,lawful interception, uplink packet detection, and downlink data packetstorage.

Main functions of an AMF network element include functions related toaccess and mobility, such as connection management, mobility management,registration management, access authentication and authorization,reachability management, and security context management.

Main functions of an SMF network element include functions related to asession, such as session management (for example, session establishment,modification, and release, including tunnel maintenance between the UPFand a RAN), selection and control of the UPF, service and sessioncontinuity (SSC) mode selection, and roaming.

Main functions of a PCF network element include functions related to apolicy, such as formulating a unified policy, providing policy control,and obtaining subscription information related to a policy decision.

An application function (AF) network element may be a third-partyapplication control platform, or may be a device deployed by anoperator. Main functions of the application function network elementinclude providing application related information, and serving aplurality of application servers.

A main function of a data network (DN) is providing a specific dataservice, such as an operator service, Internet access, or a third-partyservice.

The foregoing content mainly describes the network elements or devicesthat may be mentioned in this application. It should be understood thatthe network architecture shown in FIG. 1 is merely used as an examplefor description, and does not constitute a limitation on a networkarchitecture of a communications system to which this application isapplicable. The communications system to which this application isapplicable may further include other network elements or devices, whichare not listed one by one in this application. In addition, a connectionform between network elements or devices in the communications system towhich this application is applicable may be a reference point-based formshown in FIG. 1 , or may be a service-oriented interface-based form. Inaddition, the communications system to which this application isapplicable may be further classified into a non-roaming scenario and aroaming scenario. The roaming scenario may be further classified into alocal breakout scenario and a home routing scenario. Networkarchitectures of the communications system in these communicationscenarios may be different, but all of the network architectures may beapplicable to the embodiments of this application.

Currently, in the 5G communications system, to ensure end-to-end servicequality, a QoS model based on a QoS flow is proposed. Referring to FIC2, a terminal device may establish at least one PDU session with a UPFon a core network side using a RAN device. For each PDU session, atleast one QoS flow is established between the terminal device, the RANdevice, and the UPF network element. FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart ofestablishing a QoS flow. A procedure of interaction between networkelements or devices includes the following steps.

Step 301: An SMF network element instructs, according to a local policy,or a policy and charging control (PCC) rule sent by a PCF networkelement, a terminal device, an RAN device, and a UPF network element toestablish a QoS flow. An establishment process is divided into threestages: Step 301A: The SMF network element sends service data flow (SDF)information to the UPF network element, where the service data flowinformation includes QoS control information. Step 301B: The SMF networkelement sends a QoS profile of the QoS flow to the (R)AN device using anAMF network element. Step 301C: The SMF network element sends a QoS ruleto the terminal device using the AMF network element and/or the (R)ANdevice, where the QoS rule includes QoS control information. It shouldbe noted that content included in the QoS profile and content includedin the QoS control information are basically the same, and both aregenerated by the SMF according to the local policy or the PCC rule.

Step 302: Establish the QoS flow between the terminal device, the RANdevice, and the UPF network element. The (R)AN device may establish aDRB for an air interface based on the QoS profile, and store a bindingrelationship between the QoS flow and the DBR. During data packettransmission between the terminal device, the RAN device, and the UPFnetwork element, in a downlink direction, when receiving a downlink datapacket, the UPF network element performs QoS control based on the SDFinformation sent by the SMF network element, and adds, to a packetheader of the downlink data packet, a QoS flow identifier (QFI) used toidentify the QoS flow. When receiving the downlink data packet, the RANdevice determines, by parsing the QFI in the packet header, a QoS flowthat can be used, and transmits the downlink data packet over acorresponding DRB based on the stored binding relationship between theQoS flow and the DRB. In an uplink direction, when the terminal deviceneeds to send an uplink data packet, the terminal device may determine aQoS flow according to a QoS rule, add a QFI to a packet header of theuplink data packet, and then transmits the uplink data packet over acorresponding DRB based on the binding relationship between the QoS flowand the DBR. When receiving the uplink data packet, the RAN device adds,based on the QFI in the packet header, the QFI to the packet header ofthe uplink data packet forwarded to the UPF network element. Whenreceiving the uplink data packet sent by the RAN device, the UPF networkelement verifies whether the uplink data packet is transmitted using acorrect QoS flow.

Because the QoS profiles generated by the SMF are different, theestablished QoS flow may include two types.

A type 1 is a guaranteed bit rate (GBR) QoS flow. In this case, the QoSprofile may include a 5G QoS identifier (5QI) used to identify QoSattribute information, an allocation and retention priority (ARP), aguaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR), and a maximum bit rate (MBR).Optionally, the QoS profile may further include notification controlinformation. When the QoS profile includes the notification controlinformation, the GBR QoS flow is a GBR QoS flow that requiresnotification control. When the QoS profile does not include thenotification control information, the GBR QoS flow is a GBR QoS flowthat does not require notification control.

During data packet transmission on a DRB corresponding to a GBR QoSflow, if the RAN device detects that a quality of service requirement ofthe GBR QoS flow cannot be met, and it is configured that the GBR QoSflow requires notification control, the RAN device may notify, using theAMF network element, the SMF network element that the quality of servicerequirement of the GBR QoS flow cannot be met, such that the SMF networkelement modifies or deletes the GBR QoS flow according to the localpolicy, or the SMF network element instructs the PCF network element tomodify or delete the GBR QoS flow. In an example, when a bit rate fortransmitting a data packet does not reach an expected bit rate specifiedby the GFBR, it may be considered that the quality of servicerequirement of the GBR QoS flow cannot be met. In another example, whena transmission delay (or a packet loss rate, or the like) during datapacket transmission does not meet a transmission delay (or a packet lossrate, or the like) included in the 5QI, it may also be considered thatthe quality of service requirement of the GBR QoS flow cannot be met.

A type 2 is a non-guaranteed bit rate (non-GBR) QoS flow. In this case,the QoS profile may include a 5QI, an ARP, and the like.

For a QoS flow that requires notification control, when a handoverbetween RAN devices occurs, a notification control status recorded on aRAN side may be unsynchronized with a notification control statusrecorded on a core network side, and the core network side is prone tomake a wrong policy decision on the QoS flow.

For example, in a scenario in which the terminal device is handed overbetween RAN devices, a PDU session that has been established in theterminal device may be handed over between the RAN devices.Correspondingly, a QoS flow corresponding to the PDU session may also behanded over between the RAN devices. A DRB established by a source RANdevice before the handover may be different from a DRB established by atarget RAN device after the handover. Therefore, before the handover, aquality of service requirement cannot be met when a data packet istransmitted using the DRB established by the source RAN devicecorresponding to the QoS flow. However, after the handover, it is verylikely that the quality of service requirement can be met when a datapacket is transmitted using the DRB established by the target RAN devicecorresponding to the QoS flow.

In this case, because the SMF network element and the PCF networkelement cannot perceive the handover of the QoS flow between the RANdevices, it is very likely that a notification control status that is ofthe QoS flow and that is recorded by the SMF network element and the PCFnetwork element are still a state in which the quality of servicerequirement cannot be met and that is notified by the source RAN devicebefore the handover. Therefore, when making a policy decision again onthe QoS flow whose quality of service requirement cannot be met asnotified by the source RAN device, the SMF network element or the PCFnetwork element may make a wrong policy decision. For example, althougha quality of service requirement of the QoS flow in the target RANdevice after the handover can be met, the QoS flow is deleted, thequality of service requirement of the QoS flow is reduced, or the like.

To resolve the foregoing problem, embodiments of this applicationprovide a communication method and a communications apparatus. In ascenario in which a QoS flow is handed over between RAN devices, anotification control status of the QoS flow after the handover is fedback to a core network side in a timely manner, such that notificationcontrol statuses that are of the QoS flow and that are maintained on thecore network side and the RAN device after the handover may keepsynchronized as much as possible.

It should be understood that, in the embodiments of this application, ascenario in which the QoS flow is handed over between the RAN devices isnot limited to a scenario in which a terminal device is handed overbetween the RAN devices, and there may be another possible scenario inwhich the QoS flow is handed over between the RAN devices. For example,when the terminal device returns from a radio resource control (RRC)inactive mode to an RRC connected mode, a handover of the QoS flowbetween the RAN devices may also occur. For another example, in a dualconnectivity scenario in which the terminal device establishes a PDUsession with a master RAN device and a secondary RAN device, the QoSflow may also be handed over from the master RAN device to the secondaryRAN device, or handed over from the secondary RAN device to the masterRAN device. These scenarios are also applicable to the embodiments ofthis application.

The following describes in detail the communication method provided inthis application with reference to embodiments. It should be understoodthat terms “first”, “second”, and the like below are only used fordistinguishing description, and shall not be understood as indicating orimplying relative importance or indicating or implying an order. Forexample, for ease of differentiation in the following description, asource RAN corresponding to a QoS flow before a handover is referred toas a first RAN device, and a target RAN device corresponding to the QoSflow after the handover is referred to as a second RAN device.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according toEmbodiment 1 of this application. The method includes the followingsteps.

Step 401: In a process in which at least one QoS flow is handed overfrom a first RAN device to a second RAN device, the first RAN devicesends first information to the second RAN device, where the firstinformation is used to indicate that the first RAN device has notified acore network device that a quality of service requirement of the atleast one QoS flow cannot be met.

In Embodiment 1 of this application, that the first RAN device hasnotified the core network device that the quality of service requirementof the at least one QoS flow cannot be met may be understood as follows:A notification control status that is of the at least one QoS flow andthat is latest notified by the first RAN device to the core networkdevice is a state in which the quality of service requirement cannot bemet. For ease of description in the following, the notification controlstatus includes a first state and a second state. The first state isused to indicate that a quality of service requirement of a QoS flowcannot be met, and the second state is used to indicate that the qualityof service requirement of the QoS flow can be met. The at least one QoSflow is a QoS flow that requires notification control. It should beunderstood that, in this application, the QoS flow that requiresnotification control is not limited to a GBR QoS flow, or may be anyother QoS flow that needs to be notified to the core network device whena quality of service requirement is not met.

When the first RAN device notifies the second RAN device that the firstRAN device has notified the core network device that the quality ofservice requirement of the at least one QoS flow cannot be met, thefirst RAN device may add, to the first information sent to the secondRAN device, an identifier that is of the at least one QoS flow and thatis latest notified by the first RAN device to the core network device,and the identifier of the QoS flow is, for example, a QFI.Alternatively, the first RAN device may add an identifier of the atleast one QoS flow and a notification control status of the at least oneQoS flow to the first information sent to the second RAN device, and thenotification control status is a first state.

Before the handover occurs, the first RAN device may detect whether aquality of service requirement of an established QoS flow is met. Whenthe at least one QoS flow cannot be met and the at least one QoS flow isa QoS flow that requires notification control, the first RAN device maynotify the core network device that the notification control status ofthe at least one QoS flow is the first state. Then when the at least oneQoS flow can be met, the first RAN device may further notify the corenetwork device that the at least one QoS flow is in the second state.Based on this, the first RAN device may locally record the notificationcontrol status that is of the QoS flow and that is notified to the corenetwork device. For example, the first RAN device may record a sendingstatus table of quality of service notification control (QNC).

In an example of this application, the identifier of the QoS flow andthe notification control status that corresponds to the QoS flow andthat is latest notified to the core network device may be recorded inthe sending status table of the QNC. The identifier of the QoS flow is,for example, a QFI, and the notification control status includes thefirst state and the second state. Table 1 shows an example of a sendingstatus table of QNC.

TABLE 1 QFI Notification control status QoS flow #1 1 QoS flow #2 0 . .. . . . QoS flow #n 1

As shown in Table 1, QoS flows recorded by the first RAN device areidentified by #1 to #n. When a corresponding notification control statusis “1”, it represents the first state, that is, the quality of servicerequirement of the QoS flow cannot be met. When a correspondingnotification control status is “0”, it represents the second state, thatis, the quality of service requirement of the QoS flow can be met. Eachtime when notifying the notification control status of the QoS flow tothe core network device, the first RAN device may correspondingly updatethe locally recorded sending status table of the QNC. For example, for aQoS flow #1, a notification control status currently recorded in Table 1is “1”. If the first RAN device subsequently detects that a quality ofservice requirement of the QoS flow #1 can be met, the first RAN devicemay notify the core network device that the quality of servicerequirement of the QoS flow #1 can be met, and may correspondinglyupdate the locally recorded notification control status of the QoS flow#1 to “0”.

When detecting that the at least one QoS flow needs to be handed overfrom the first RAN device to the second RAN device, the first RAN devicemay notify content of a recorded latest sending status table of the QNCto the second RAN device, or may alternatively notify, to the second RANdevice, content of the QoS flow whose notification control status is “1”in the recorded latest sending status table of the QNC.

In another example of this application, only an identifier of at leastone QoS flow whose notification control status latest notified to thecore network device is the first state may be recorded in the sendingstatus table of the QNC. In other words, an identifier of the at leastone QoS flow whose quality of service requirement latest notified to thecore network device cannot be met is recorded. Table 2 shows an exampleof a sending status table of QNC.

TABLE 2 QFI QoS flow #1 QoS flow #2 . . . QoS flow #n

As shown in Table 2, the at least one QoS flow recorded by the first RANdevice is identified by #1 to #n. Each time when notifying thenotification control status of the QoS flow to the core network device,the first RAN device may update the recorded sending status table of theQNC. For example, for a QoS flow #1, the QoS flow #1 is currentlyrecorded in Table 2, indicating that a quality of service requirement ofthe QoS flow #1 cannot be met. If the first RAN device subsequentlydetects that the quality of service requirement of the QoS flow #1 canbe met, the first RAN device may notify the core network device that thequality of service requirement of the QoS flow #1 can be met, and maycorrespondingly delete the QoS flow #1 recorded in Table 2. Similarly,if the first RAN device subsequently detects that a quality of servicerequirement of another QoS flow different from the QoS flow recorded inTable 2 cannot be met, and notifies the other QoS flow to the corenetwork device, the first RAN device may also add an identifier of theother QoS flow to Table 2.

When detecting that the at least one QoS flow needs to be handed overfrom the first RAN device to the second RAN device, the first RAN devicemay notify content of a recorded latest sending status table of the QNCto the second RAN device.

Certainly, the foregoing examples are only used for description. A formin which the first RAN device sends the first information to the secondRAN device in this embodiment of this application is not limitedthereto.

Step 402: After receiving the first information sent by the first RANdevice, the second RAN device sends second information to the corenetwork device, where the second information is used to notify the corenetwork device that a quality of service requirement of a first QoS flowin the at least one QoS flow can be met, where the first QoS flowsbelongs to all QoS flows that have been successfully handed over fromthe first RAN device to the second RAN device and that requirenotification control.

In this embodiment of this application, in a process in which the atleast one QoS flow is handed over from the first RAN device to thesecond RAN device, it is likely that not all the QoS flows can besuccessfully handed over. For the second RAN device, some QoS flowswhose quality of service requirements still cannot be met may bedirectly deleted. Therefore, the second RAN device may first determine,from the at least one QoS flow, a QoS flow that has been successfullyhanded over from the first RAN device to the second RAN device, namely,the first QoS flow, and then may consider by default that a quality ofservice requirement of the successfully handed-over first QoS flow canbe met.

The following lists two scenarios to describe a procedure of interactionbetween the first RAN device and the second RAN device in Embodiment 1of this application.

Scenario 1: A directly connected Xn interface exists between the firstRAN device and the second RAN device. In this case, the handoverprocedure may be a handover based on the Xn interface.

FIG. 5 shows the procedure of interaction between the first RAN deviceand the second RAN device in Scenario 1 provided in Embodiment 1 of thisapplication.

Step 501: The first RAN device directly sends a handover request to thesecond RAN device, where the handover request carries an identifier thatis of the at least one QoS flow and that is latest notified by the firstRAN device to a core network device, and a notification control statusof the at least one QoS flow, and the notification control status is afirst state, indicating that a quality of service requirement of the QoSflow cannot be met.

Step 502: The second RAN device sends a handover request acknowledgementresponse to the first RAN device.

Scenario 2: A directly connected Xn interface does not exist between thefirst RAN device and the second RAN device. A core network deviceparticipates in the handover procedure. For example, the handoverprocedure may be a handover based on an N2 interface.

FIG. 6 shows the procedure of interaction between the first RAN deviceand the second RAN device in Scenario 2 provided in Embodiment 1 of thisapplication.

Step 601: The first RAN device sends a handover required message to afirst AMF network element serving the first RAN device, where thehandover required message carries an identifier that is of the at leastone QoS flow and that is latest notified by the first RAN device to acore network device, and a notification control status of the at leastone QoS flow, and the notification control status is a first state,indicating that a quality of service requirement of the QoS flow cannotbe met.

In an example of this application, the identifier of the at least oneQoS flow and the notification control status of the at least one QoSflow may be included in a source to target transparent container, andthe container includes content sent by the first RAN device to thesecond RAN device using a core network. The AMF network element onlyperforms forwarding but does not perceive the content in the container.

Step 602: The first AMF network element selects a second AMF networkelement to serve the second RAN device.

Step 603: The first AMF network element sends a UE context creationrequest (namf_communication_createUEcontext request) to the second AMFnetwork element, where the UE context creation request carries theidentifier of the at least one QoS flow and the notification controlstatus of the at least one QoS flow.

Step 604: The second AMF network element and an SMF network elementperform a session management context update procedure of a PDU session,to perform a session establishment procedure based on an N4 interface.

Step 605: The second AMF network element sends a handover request to thesecond RAN device, where the handover request carries the identifierthat is of the at least one QoS flow and that is latest notified by thefirst RAN device to the core network device, and the notificationcontrol status of the at least one QoS flow.

Step 606: The second RAN device sends a handover request acknowledgementresponse to the second AMF network element.

Step 607: The second AMF network element and the SMF network elementperform a session management context update procedure of a PDU session,to perform a session modification procedure based on the N4 interface.

Step 608: The second AMF network element sends a UE context creationresponse (namf_communication_createUEcontext response) to the first AMFnetwork element.

In Scenario 1 and Scenario 2, after the second RAN device determinesthat the first RAN device has notified the core network device that thequality of service requirement of the at least one QoS flow cannot bemet, when the second RAN device detects that the first QoS flow in theat least one QoS flow is successfully handed over from the first RANdevice to the second RAN device, to enable the core network device tolearn a latest notification control status of the successfullyhanded-over first QoS flow in a timely manner, in this embodiment ofthis application, the second RAN device may directly notify the corenetwork device that the quality of service requirement of thesuccessfully handed-over first QoS flow can be met.

In the foregoing procedure, the first RAN device or the second RANdevice may notify the notification control status of the QoS flow to thecore network device in the following two implementations.

In a first implementation, the first RAN device or the second RAN devicemay notify the notification control status of the QoS flow to the SMFnetwork element using the AMF network element. When learning thenotification control status of the QoS flow, the SMF network element mayperform a session management policy modification procedure according toa local policy, to modify or delete the QoS flow.

In a second implementation, the first RAN device or the second RANdevice may notify the notification control status of the QoS flow to theSMF network element using the AMF network element. The SMF networkelement may further notify the notification control status of the QoSflow to a PCF network element, such that the SMF network element and thePCF network element perform a session management policy modificationprocedure according to a dynamic PCC rule, to modify or delete the QoSflow.

In the second implementation, after receiving information, namely,second information, indicating that the quality of service requirementof the first QoS flow in the at least one QoS flow and that is sent bythe second RAN device can be met, the SMF network element may notify thePCF network element that the quality of service requirement of the firstQoS flow can be met.

In addition, after the second RAN device notifies the core networkdevice that the quality of service requirement of the first QoS flow inthe at least one QoS flow can be met, in an implementation, if thesecond RAN device subsequently detects that the quality of servicerequirement of the first QoS flow cannot be met, the second RAN devicemay immediately send third information to the core network device, wherethe third information is used to notify the core network device that thequality of service requirement of the first QoS flow cannot be met. Incomparison with other approaches in which the notification controlstatus of the QoS flow can be notified again only after a preset timelength, the foregoing implementations proposed in this application canreduce a delay, such that the core network device can perceive a latestnotification control status of the QoS flow on a core network side in atimely manner.

In a manner provided in Embodiment 1, in a process in which the at leastone QoS flow is handed over from the first RAN device to the second RANdevice, the notification control status of the at least one QoS flow mayalso be transferred from the first RAN device to the second RAN deviceat the same time, such that the second RAN device can accurately learnthe notification control status that is of the at least one QoS flow andthat has been notified by the first RAN device to the core networkdevice. This is equivalent to learning the notification control statusthat is of the QoS flow and that is currently recorded by the corenetwork device. In this case, the second RAN device notifies thenotification control status of the handed-over QoS flow to the corenetwork device, such that the notification control status that is of theQoS flow and that is perceived on the core network side can besynchronized with the notification control status that is of thehanded-over QoS flow and that is recorded on an access network side, andthe core network device can avoid making a wrong policy decision.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according toEmbodiment 2 of this application. The method includes the followingstep.

Step 701: When at least one QoS flow is handed over from a first RANdevice to a second RAN device, the second RAN device sends fourthinformation to a core network device, where the fourth information isused to notify the core network device that a quality of servicerequirement of the at least one QoS flow can be met.

In Embodiment 2 of this application, the at least one QoS flow may beunderstood as all QoS flows that have been successfully handed over fromthe first RAN device to the second RAN device and that requirenotification control.

The second RAN device may send the fourth information to an AMF networkelement, and then the AMF network element forwards the fourthinformation to an SMF network element, in order to notify the SMFnetwork element that the quality of service requirement of the at leastone QoS flow can be met. Further, after receiving the fourth informationsent by the second RAN device, the SMF network element may further sendfifth information to a PCF network element, where the fifth informationis used to notify the PCF network element that the quality of servicerequirement of the at least one QoS flow can be met.

During implementation, after receiving the fourth information, the SMFnetwork element may update a recorded notification control status of theat least one QoS flow. The notification control status includes a firststate and a second state. The first state is used to indicate that aquality of service requirement of the at least one QoS flow cannot bemet, and the second state is used to indicate that the quality ofservice requirement of the at least one QoS flow can be met. The SMFnetwork element may further determine, depending on a specificsituation, whether to notify the updated notification control status ofthe at least one QoS flow to the PCF network element.

In an example of this application, after receiving the information,namely, the fourth information, indicating that the notification controlstatus that is of the at least one QoS flow and that is notified by thesecond RAN device is the second state, the SMF network element maydetermine whether the SMF network element receives, from the first RANdevice, information indicating that the notification control status ofthe at least one QoS flow is the first state. If a determining result isno, it indicates that before the handover, a core network side does notreceive a notification that the quality of service requirement of the atleast one QoS flow cannot be met. In this case, the SMF network elementmay not need to repeatedly notify the PCF network element that thenotification control status of the at least one QoS flow is the secondstate. If the determining result is yes, it may indicate that before thehandover, the core network side has received a notification indicatingthat the quality of service requirement of the at least one QoS flowcannot be met. To ensure that notification control statuses that are ofthe QoS flow and that are recorded by the core network side and thesecond RAN device after the handover can be synchronized with eachother, after determining that a latest received notification controlstatus that is of the at least one QoS flow and that is notified by thefirst RAN device is a first state, the SMF network element may send thefifth information to the PCF network element, to notify the PCF networkelement that the notification control status of the at least one QoSflow is the second state.

The following describes, with reference to a scenario, a process inwhich the second RAN device notifies the notification control status ofthe at least one QoS flow to the core network device in Embodiment 2 ofthis application, as shown in FIG. 8 .

It is assumed that a PDU session that is established using the first RANdevice and that is between the terminal device and a first UPF sessionthat serves the first RAN device has been switched to a PDU session thatis established using the second RAN device and that is between theterminal device and a second UPF network element that serves the secondRAN device. In addition, the at least one QoS flow is also handed overfrom an end-to-end path including the terminal device, the first RANdevice, and the first UPF to an end-to-end path including the terminaldevice, the second RAN device, and the second UPF.

Step 801: The second RAN device sends an N2 message to an AMF networkelement, where the N2 message includes an identifier of a PDU sessionand N2 session management (SM) information. The N2 SM message includes aQFI of the at least one QoS flow and a notification control status ofthe at least one QoS flow, namely, a second state.

Optionally, the N2 SM message may further include a QFI of another QoSflow whose quality of service requirement cannot be met and thatrequires notification control, and a notification control status of theother QoS flow, and the notification control status of the other QoSflow is a first state.

Step 802: The AMF network element sends a session management contextupdate request (nsmf_PDUsession_updateSMcontext request) of a PDUsession to the SMF network element, where the request may include theQFI of the at least one QoS flow and the notification control status ofthe at least one QoS flow, and the notification control status of the atleast one QoS flow is the second state. Optionally, the request mayfurther include the QFI of the other QoS flow and the notificationcontrol status of the other QoS flow, and the notification controlstatus of the other QoS flow is the first state.

Step 803: After receiving the request, the SMF network elementdetermines, depending on a specific situation, whether to notify the PCFnetwork element of a QoS flow whose notification control status is thesecond state and that is reported by the second RAN device. For thisprocess, refer to the description in Example 1. For a QoS flow whosenotification control status is the first state and that is reported bythe second RAN device, the SMF network element may initiate a sessionmanagement policy modification procedure according to an existingprocedure, to delete or modify the QoS flow.

In Embodiment 2, the second RAN device may send, to the core networkdevice, the notification control status of the at least one QoS flowthat is successfully handed over from the first RAN device and thatrequires notification control, such that the core network device canaccurately perceive the notification control status of the handed-overQoS flow in a timely manner, in order to prevent the core network devicefrom making a wrong policy decision.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according toEmbodiment 3 of this application. The method includes the followingsteps.

Step 901: An SMF network element determines a received notificationcontrol status that is of at least one QoS flow and that is sent by afirst RAN device.

In Embodiment 3 of this application, the at least one QoS flow may beunderstood as a corresponding QoS flow that requires notificationcontrol in a PDU session of a terminal device before a handover. Thenotification control status includes a first state and a second state.The first state is used to indicate that a quality of servicerequirement of a QoS flow cannot be met, and the second state is used toindicate that the quality of service requirement of the QoS flow can bemet.

Step 902: When a second QoS flow in the at least one QoS flow has beenhanded over from the first RAN device to a second RAN device, the SMFnetwork element determines a third QoS flow whose notification controlstatus is the first state in the second QoS flow, and updates anotification control status of the third QoS flow to the second state.

Step 903: The SMF network element sends sixth information to a PCF unit,where the sixth information is used to notify the PCF network elementthat the notification control status of the third QoS flow is the secondstate.

In an example of this application, the SMF network element may receiveseventh information sent by an AMF network element. The seventhinformation may include an identifier of the second QoS flow that hasbeen successfully handed over from the first RAN device to the secondRAN device, and may further include an identifier of a PDU session thathas been successfully handed over from the first RAN device to thesecond RAN device, such that the SMF network element determinesinformation about the successfully handed-over PDU session and secondQoS flow.

If the handover of the PDU session and the QoS flow between the firstRAN device and the second RAN device is based on an Xn interface, thefirst RAN device or the second RAN device may notify the successfullyhanded-over PDU session and second QoS flow to the AMF network element,and then the AMF network element notifies the successfully handed-overPDU session and second QoS flow to the SMF network element. If thehandover of the PDU session and the QoS flow between the first RANdevice and the second RAN device is based on an N2 interface, the AMFnetwork element may perceive the successfully handed-over PDU sessionand second QoS flow during the handover, and then may directly notifythe successfully handed-over PDU session and second QoS flow to the SMFnetwork element.

For the successfully handed-over second QoS flow in the at least one QoSflow, the SMF network element may first determine whether a notificationcontrol status of the second QoS flow in the notification control statusthat is of the at least one QoS flow and that is latest received fromthe first RAN device is the first state. For the third QoS flow whosenotification control status is the first state in the second QoS flow,the SMF network element may consider by default that the quality ofservice requirement of the third QoS flow can be met, and may notify thePCF network element that the quality of service requirement of the thirdQoS flow can be met. For a fourth QoS flow whose notification controlstatus is the second state in the second QoS flow, because a quality ofservice requirement that is of the fourth QoS flow and that is recordedon a core network side has been met, the SMF network element may notneed to repeatedly notify the notification control status of the fourthQoS flow to the PCF network element.

If there is no QoS flow that has been successfully handed over from thefirst RAN device to the second RAN device in the at least one QoS flow,the SMF network element may notify the PCF network element according toan existing procedure, such that the PCF network element makes a policydecision again on the QoS flow.

For example, the SMF network element may notify a notification controlstatus of a related QoS flow to the PCF network element when initiatinga session management (SM) policy association modification procedure. Apolicy control request trigger is configured for the PCF networkelement. The PCF network element may identify a notification sent by theSMF network element, and the notification includes informationindicating that the quality of service requirement of the third QoS flowcan be met. Then the PCF network element may make a policy decisionbased on the notification sent by the SMF network element, and send apolicy decision result to the SMF network element.

In Embodiment 3, the QoS flow is handed over between the first RANdevice and the second RAN device generally because a quality of servicerequirement of the QoS flow in the first RAN device cannot be met, andthe QoS flow needs to be handed over to the second RAN device in whichthe quality of service requirement can be met. Based on this, afterdetermining the successfully handed-over QoS flow, the SMF networkelement may consider, by default, that a quality of service requirementof the QoS flow cannot be met as previous recorded, but now can be met,and then notify the PCF network element, such that the PCF networkelement can perceive a status of the successfully handed-over QoS flowin a timely manner, and avoid making a wrong decision.

Embodiment 4

FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according toEmbodiment 4 of this application. The method includes the followingsteps.

Step 1001: An SMF network element determines that at least one QoS flowhas been handed over from a first RAN device to a second RAN device.

In Embodiment 4 of this application, the at least one QoS flow may beunderstood as a QoS flow that has been successfully handed over from thefirst RAN device to the second RAN device. For example, with anotification of an AMF network element, the SMF network element maydetermine that the at least one QoS flow is successfully handed over.For details, refer to the related description in Embodiment 3.

Step 1002: The SMF network element sends eighth information to a PCFnetwork element, where the eighth information is used to indicate thatthe at least one QoS flow has been handed over from the first RAN deviceto the second RAN device.

A difference from Embodiment 3 lies in that, in Embodiment 4 of thisapplication, the SMF network element may notify, in a procedure ofinitiating session management policy association modification (SM policyassociation modification), the PCF network element that the at least oneQoS flow has been successfully handed over. Further, the PCF networkelement updates a recorded notification control status of the at leastone QoS flow. The notification control status includes a first state anda second state. The first state is used to indicate that a quality ofservice requirement of a QoS flow cannot be met, and the second state isused to indicate that the quality of service requirement of the QoS flowcan be met.

Step 1003: After receiving the eighth information, the PCF networkelement determines a QoS flow whose notification control status is thefirst state in the at least one QoS flow, and updates the notificationcontrol status of the determined QoS flow to the second state.

In an implementation, a handover indication trigger may be configuredfor the PCF network element. After receiving the eighth information thatis sent by the SMF network element and that indicates that the at leastone QoS flow has been successfully handed over, the PCF network elementmay be triggered to perform an operation of updating the notificationcontrol status of the QoS flow. Then, the PCF network element may make apolicy decision based on a latest updated notification control status ofthe QoS flow, and send a policy decision result to the SMF networkelement.

In Embodiment 4, after determining that the at least one QoS flow issuccessfully handed over, the SMF network element may notify the PCFnetwork element that the at least one QoS flow is successfully handedover, and then the PCF network element updates the notification controlstatus of the at least one QoS flow, such that the PCF network elementcan perceive a status of the successfully handed-over QoS flow in atimely manner, and avoid making a wrong decision as much as possible.

Based on a same technical concept, the following describes, withreference to the accompanying drawings, a communications apparatusprovided in the embodiments of this application.

An embodiment of this application provides a communications apparatus,and the communications apparatus has a function of implementing thefirst RAN device in the foregoing method Embodiment 1. For example, thecommunications apparatus includes a corresponding module, unit, or meansfor performing the steps in the foregoing method Embodiment 1 by thefirst RAN device. The function, the module, the unit, or the means maybe implemented by software, or may be implemented by hardware, or may beimplemented by hardware executing corresponding software.

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communications apparatus1100 according to an embodiment of this application. The apparatus 1100includes a processor 1101 and a transceiver 1102. The processor 1101 isconfigured to support a first RAN device in performing the function inthe foregoing method Embodiment 1. The transceiver 1102 is configured tosupport the first RAN device in performing a function of receiving andsending a message. The apparatus 1100 may further include a memory 1103.The processor 1101, the transceiver 1102, and the memory 1103 areconnected to each other. The memory 1103 is configured to store acomputer program instruction required for implementing the function ofthe first RAN device in the foregoing method Embodiment 1. The processor1101 is configured to execute the computer program instruction stored inthe memory 1103, to control the transceiver 1102 to receive and send asignal, and complete a step of performing a corresponding function bythe first RAN device in the foregoing method Embodiment 1.

For example, the processor 1101 is configured to send, in a process inwhich at least one quality of service flow is handed over from thecommunications apparatus 1100 to a second access network device, firstinformation to the second access network device using the transceiver1102, where the first information is used to indicate that thecommunications apparatus 1100 has notified a core network device that aquality of service requirement of the at least one quality of serviceflow cannot be met.

In a possible implementation, the first information may include anidentifier of the at least one quality of service flow and anotification control status of the at least one quality of service flow.The notification control status is a first state, and the first state isused to indicate that the quality of service requirement of the at leastone quality of service flow cannot be met.

In a possible implementation, the processor 1101 is configured to: send,using the transceiver 1102, the first information to the second accessnetwork device over an interface connected to the second access networkdevice; or send the first information to the second access networkdevice using the transceiver 1102 and an AMF network element.

For steps performed by the processor 1101 and the transceiver 1102,refer to related descriptions in the steps performed by the first RANdevice in the foregoing method Embodiment 1. Details are not describedherein.

Alternatively, the communications apparatus 1100 may be implementedusing logical units. FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of acommunications apparatus 1200 according to an embodiment of thisapplication. The apparatus 1200 includes a processing module 1201 and atransceiver module 1202. The processing module 1201 corresponds to theprocessor 1101 in the foregoing communications apparatus 1100, and thetransceiver module 1202 corresponds to the transceiver 1102 in theforegoing communications apparatus 1100. The processing module 1201 andthe transceiver module 1202 may be respectively configured to implementcorresponding functions of the first RAN device in the foregoing methodEmbodiment 1. For an implementation process, refer to relateddescriptions in the foregoing method Embodiment 1 and the communicationsapparatus 1100. Details are not described herein.

An embodiment of this application provides another communicationsapparatus, and the communications apparatus has a function ofimplementing the second RAN device in the foregoing method Embodiment 1or 2. For example, the communications apparatus includes a correspondingmodule, unit, or means for performing the steps in the foregoing methodEmbodiment 1 or 2 by the second RAN device. The function, the module,the unit, or the means may be implemented by software, or may beimplemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executingcorresponding software.

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a communications apparatus1300 according to an embodiment of this application. The apparatus 1300includes a processor 1301 and a transceiver 1302. The processor 1301 isconfigured to support a second RAN device in performing the function inthe foregoing method Embodiment 1 or 2. The transceiver 1302 isconfigured to support the second RAN device in performing a function ofreceiving and sending a message. The apparatus 1300 may further includea memory 1303. The processor 1301, the transceiver 1302, and the memory1303 are connected to each other. The memory 1303 is configured to storea computer program instruction required for implementing the function ofthe second RAN device in the foregoing method Embodiment 1 or 2. Theprocessor 1301 is configured to execute the computer program instructionstored in the memory 1303, to control the transceiver 1302 to receiveand send a signal, and complete a step of performing a correspondingfunction by the second RAN device in the foregoing method Embodiment 1or 2.

In a possible design, the processor 1301 is configured to receive, usingthe transceiver 1302, first information sent by the first access networkdevice, where the first information is used to indicate that the firstaccess network device has notified a core network device that a qualityof service requirement of at least one quality of service flow cannot bemet. The processor 1301 is further configured to send second informationto the core network device using the transceiver 1302, where the secondinformation is used to notify the core network device that a quality ofservice requirement of a first quality of service flow in the at leastone quality of service flow can be met, where the first quality ofservice flow is a quality of service flow that has been handed over fromthe first access network device to the communications apparatus 1300.

The processor 1301 is further configured to: when detecting that thequality of service requirement of the first quality of service flowcannot be met, send third information to the core network device usingthe transceiver 1302, where the third information is used to notify thecore network device that the quality of service requirement of the firstquality of service flow cannot be met.

In another possible design, when the at least one quality of serviceflow has been handed over from the first access network device to thecommunications apparatus 1300, the processor 1301 is configured to sendfourth information to the core network device using the transceiver1302, where the fourth information is used to notify the core networkdevice that the quality of service requirement of the at least onequality of service flow can be met. Optionally, the at least one qualityof service flow belongs to all quality of service flows that have beenhanded over from the first access network device to the communicationsapparatus 1300 and that require notification control.

For steps performed by the processor 1301 and the transceiver 1302,refer to related descriptions in the steps performed by the second RANdevice in the foregoing method Embodiment 1 or 2. Details are notdescribed herein.

Alternatively, the communications apparatus 1300 may be implementedusing logical units. FIG. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of acommunications apparatus 1400 according to an embodiment of thisapplication. The apparatus 1400 includes a processing module 1401 and atransceiver module 1402. The processing module 1401 corresponds to theprocessor 1301 in the foregoing communications apparatus 1300, and thetransceiver module 1402 corresponds to the transceiver 1302 in theforegoing communications apparatus 1300. The processing module 1401 andthe transceiver module 1402 may be respectively configured to implementcorresponding functions of the second RAN device in the foregoing methodEmbodiment 1 or method Embodiment 2. For an implementation process,refer to related descriptions in the foregoing method Embodiment 1 ormethod Embodiment 2 and the communications apparatus 1300. Details arenot described herein.

An embodiment of this application provides another communicationsapparatus, and the communications apparatus has a function ofimplementing the SMF network element in any one of the foregoing methodEmbodiment 1 to method Embodiment 4. For example, the communicationsapparatus includes a corresponding module, unit, or means for performingthe steps in any one of the foregoing method Embodiment 1 to methodEmbodiment 4 by the SMF network element. The function, the module, theunit, or the means may be implemented by software, or may be implementedby hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing correspondingsoftware.

FIG. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a communications apparatus1500 according to an embodiment of this application. The apparatus 1500includes a processor 1501 and a transceiver 1502. The processor 1501 isconfigured to support an SMF network element in performing the functionin any one of the foregoing method Embodiment 1 to method Embodiment 4.The transceiver 1502 is configured to support the SMF network element inperforming a function of receiving and sending a message. The apparatus1500 may further include a memory 1503. The processor 1501, thetransceiver 1502, and the memory 1503 are connected to each other. Thememory 1503 is configured to store a computer program instructionrequired for implementing the function of the SMF network element in anyone of the foregoing method Embodiment 1 to method Embodiment 4. Theprocessor 1501 is configured to execute the computer program instructionstored in the memory 1503, to control the transceiver 1502 to receiveand send a signal, and complete a step of performing a correspondingfunction by the SMF network element in any one of the foregoing methodEmbodiment 1 to method Embodiment 4.

In a first possible design, the processor 1501 may be configured toreceive, using the transceiver 1502, a notification control status thatis of at least one quality of service flow and that is sent by thesecond access network device. The at least one quality of service flowis a quality of service flow that has been handed over from a firstaccess network device to the second access network device. Thenotification control status is a second state, and the second state isused to indicate that a quality of service requirement of the at leastone quality of service flow can be met. The processor 1501 is furtherconfigured to send fifth information to a PCF network element using thetransceiver 1502, where the fifth information is used to notify the PCFnetwork element that the quality of service requirement of the at leastone quality of service flow can be met.

Optionally, the processor 1501 is further configured to: before sendingthe fifth information to the PCF network element using the transceiver1502, determine that a received notification control status that is ofthe at least one quality of service flow and that is sent by the firstaccess network device is a first state, where the first state is used toindicate that the quality of service requirement of the at least onequality of service flow cannot be met.

In a second possible design, the processor 1501 may be configured todetermine a received notification control status that is of at least onequality of service flow and that is sent by a first access networkdevice. Further, the processor 1501 may be further configured to: when asecond quality of service flow in the at least one quality of serviceflow has been handed over from the first access network device to asecond access network device, determine a third quality of service flowwhose notification control status is a first state in the second qualityof service flow. Further, the processor 1501 is further configured to:update the notification control status of the third quality of serviceflow to a second state, and send sixth information to a PCF networkelement using the transceiver 1502, where the sixth information is usedto notify the PCF network element that the notification control statusof the third quality of service flow is the second state.

The first state is used to indicate that the quality of servicerequirement of the at least one quality of service flow cannot be met,and the second state is used to indicate that the quality of servicerequirement of the at least one quality of service flow can be met.

Optionally, the processor 1501 may be further configured to receive,using the transceiver 1502, seventh information sent by an AMF networkelement, where the seventh information includes an identifier of thesecond quality of service flow that has been handed over from the firstaccess network device to the second access network device.

In a third possible design, the processor 1501 may be configured todetermine that the at least one QoS flow is handed over from the firstaccess network device to the second access network device. Then, theprocessor 1501 may be further configured to send eighth information tothe PCF network element using the transceiver 1502, where the eighthinformation is used to indicate that the at least one QoS flow is handedover from the first access network device to the second access networkdevice.

For steps performed by the processor 1501 and the transceiver 1502,refer to related descriptions in the steps performed by the SMF networkelement in the foregoing method Embodiment 1 to method Embodiment 4.Details are not described herein.

Alternatively, the communications apparatus 1500 may be implementedusing logical units. FIG. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of acommunications apparatus 1600 according to an embodiment of thisapplication. The apparatus 1600 includes a processing module 1601 and atransceiver module 1602. The processing module 1601 corresponds to theprocessor 1501 in the foregoing communications apparatus 1500, and thetransceiver module 1602 corresponds to the transceiver 1502 in theforegoing communications apparatus 1500. The processing module 1601 andthe transceiver module 1602 may be respectively configured to implementcorresponding functions of the SMF network element in any one of theforegoing method Embodiment 1 to method Embodiment 4. For animplementation process, refer to related descriptions in the foregoingmethod Embodiment 1 to method Embodiment 4 and the communicationsapparatus 1500. Details are not described herein.

An embodiment of this application provides another communicationsapparatus, and the communications apparatus has a function ofimplementing the PCF network element in the foregoing method Embodiment4. For example, the communications apparatus includes a correspondingmodule, unit, or means for performing the steps in the foregoing methodEmbodiment 4 by the PCF network element. The function, the module, theunit, or the means may be implemented by software, or may be implementedby hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing correspondingsoftware.

FIG. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of a communications apparatus1700 according to an embodiment of this application. The apparatus 1700includes a processor 1701 and a transceiver 1702. The processor 1701 isconfigured to support a PCF network element in performing the functionin the foregoing method Embodiment 4. The transceiver 1702 is configuredto support the PCF network element in performing a function of receivingand sending a message. The apparatus 1700 may further include a memory1703. The processor 1701, the transceiver 1702, and the memory 1703 areconnected to each other. The memory 1703 is configured to store acomputer program instruction required for implementing the function ofthe PCF network element in the foregoing method Embodiment 4. Theprocessor 1701 is configured to execute the computer program instructionstored in the memory 1703, to control the transceiver 1702 to receiveand send a signal, and complete a step of performing a correspondingfunction by the PCF network element in the foregoing method Embodiment4.

For example, the processor 1701 may be configured to receive, using thetransceiver 1702, eighth information sent by an SMF network element,where the eighth information is used to indicate that the at least oneQoS flow is handed over from the first access network device to thesecond access network device. Then, the processor 1701 may determine aQoS flow whose notification control status is a first state in the atleast one QoS flow, and update the notification control status of thedetermined QoS flow to a second state. The first state is used toindicate that a quality of service requirement of the determined QoSflow cannot be met, and the second state is used to indicate that thequality of service requirement of the determined QoS flow can be met.

For steps performed by the processor 1701 and the transceiver 1702,refer to related descriptions in the steps performed by the PCF networkelement in the foregoing method Embodiment 4. Details are not describedherein.

Alternatively, the communications apparatus 1700 may be implementedusing logical units. FIG. 18 is a schematic structural diagram of acommunications apparatus 1800 according to an embodiment of thisapplication. The apparatus 1800 includes a processing module 1801 and atransceiver module 1802. The processing module 1801 corresponds to theprocessor 1701 in the foregoing communications apparatus 1700, and thetransceiver module 1802 corresponds to the transceiver 1702 in theforegoing communications apparatus 1700. The processing module 1801 andthe transceiver module 1802 may be respectively configured to implementcorresponding functions of the PCF network element in the foregoingmethod Embodiment 4. For an implementation process, refer to relateddescriptions in the foregoing method Embodiment 4 and the communicationsapparatus 1700. Details are not described herein.

It may be understood that, in the accompanying drawings of theembodiments of this application, only simplified designs of thecommunications apparatuses are shown. In actual application, theforegoing communications apparatuses are not limited to the foregoingstructures. For example, for the first RAN device or the second RANdevice, a structure may further include an antenna array, a duplexer, abaseband processing part, and the like.

It should be noted that the processor in the embodiment of thisapplication may be a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purposeprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) oranother programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardwarecomponent, or a combination thereof. The processor may implement orexecute various example logical blocks, modules, and circuits describedwith reference to content disclosed in this application. Alternatively,the processor may be a combination of processors implementing acomputing function, for example, a combination of one or moremicroprocessors, or a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor. Thememory may be integrated into the processor, or may be disposedseparately with the processor.

According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application,an embodiment of this application further provides a communicationssystem, where the communications system includes the foregoing first RANdevice, the second RAN device, the SMF network element, and the PCFnetwork element.

An embodiment of this application further provides a chip, where thechip is connected to a memory, and is configured to read and execute asoftware program stored in the memory, to implement any one of themethods in the foregoing method embodiments.

An embodiment of this application further provides a computer storagemedium, where the computer storage medium stores a computer-readableinstruction, and when reading and executing the computer-readableinstruction, a computer may complete any one of the methods in theforegoing method embodiments.

An embodiment of this application further provides a computer programproduct including a software program, and when the computer programproduct runs on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform any oneof the methods in the foregoing method embodiments.

A person skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments ofthis application may be provided as a method, a system, or a computerprogram product. Therefore, this application may use a form ofhardware-only embodiments, software-only embodiments, or embodimentswith a combination of software and hardware. In addition, thisapplication may use a form of a computer program product that isimplemented on one or more computer-readable storage media (includingbut not limited to a disk memory, an optical memory, and the like) thatinclude a computer instruction.

The foregoing embodiments describe an objective, a technical method, andbeneficial effects of this application in detail. It should beunderstood that the foregoing descriptions are only exampleimplementations of this application, but are not intended to limit theprotection scope of this application. Any modifications and variationsmade on a basis of the technical solutions of this application shallfall within the protection scope of this application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication method, comprising: determining,by a session management function (SMF) network element, a receivednotification control status that is of at least one quality of serviceflow and that is from a first access network device; determining, by theSMF network element when a second quality of service flow in the atleast one quality of service flow has been handed over from the firstaccess network device to a second access network device, a third qualityof service flow whose notification control status was a first state inthe second quality of service flow, wherein the first state indicatesthat a quality of service requirement of the third quality of serviceflow cannot be met; updating, by the SMF network element, thenotification control status of the third quality of service flow to asecond state, wherein the second state indicates that the quality ofservice requirement of the third quality of service flow can be met; andsending sixth information to a policy control function (PCF) networkelement, wherein the sixth information is configured to notify the PCFnetwork element that the notification control status of the thirdquality of service flow is the second state.
 2. The communication methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising receiving, by the SMF networkelement, seventh information from an access and mobility managementfunction (AMF) network element, wherein the seventh informationcomprises an identifier of the second quality of service flow.
 3. Thecommunication method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving,by the PCF network element, the sixth information from the SMF networkelement.
 4. The communication method according to claim 1, furthercomprising sending, by the SMF network element, third information to thePCF network element.
 5. The communication method according to claim 4,wherein the third information is configured to trigger the PCF networkelement to update the notification control status.
 6. The communicationmethod according to claim 4, wherein the third information informs thePCF network element that the at least one quality of service flow hasbeen successfully handed over.
 7. The communication method according toclaim 1, wherein at least one of the first access network device or thesecond access network device is a radio access network (RAN) device. 8.A communications apparatus, comprising: a processor; and a memorycoupled to the processor and having program instructions stored thereonwhich, when executed by the processor, cause the communicationsapparatus to: determine a received notification control status that isof at least one quality of service flow and that is from a first accessnetwork device; determine, when a second quality of service flow in theat least one quality of service flow has been handed over from the firstaccess network device to a second access network device, a third qualityof service flow whose notification control status was a first state inthe second quality of service flow, wherein the first state indicatesthat a quality of service requirement of the third quality of serviceflow cannot be met; update the notification control status of the thirdquality of service flow to a second state, wherein the second stateindicates that the quality of service requirement of the third qualityof service flow can be met; and send sixth information to a policycontrol function (PCF) network element, wherein the sixth information isconfigured to notify the PCF network element that the notificationcontrol status of the third quality of service flow is the second state.9. The communications apparatus according to claim 8, wherein theprogram instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause thecommunications apparatus to receive seventh information from an accessand mobility management function (AMF) network element, wherein theseventh information comprises an identifier of the second quality ofservice flow that has been handed over from the first access networkdevice to the second access network device.
 10. The communicationsapparatus according to claim 8, wherein the communications apparatus isa session management function (SMF) network element.
 11. Thecommunications apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the programinstructions, when executed by the processor, further cause thecommunications apparatus to send third information to the PCF networkelement.
 12. The communications apparatus according to claim 11, whereinthe third information is configured to trigger the PCF network elementto update the notification control status.
 13. The communicationsapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the third information informsthe PCF network element that the at least one quality of service flowhas been successfully handed over.
 14. A communications system,comprising: a policy control function (PCF) network element; and asession management function (SMF) network element configured to:determine a received notification control status that is of at least onequality of service flow and that is from a first access network device;determine, when a second quality of service flow in the at least onequality of service flow has been handed over from the first accessnetwork device to a second access network device, a third quality ofservice flow whose notification control status was a first state in thesecond quality of service flow, wherein the first state indicates that aquality of service requirement of the third quality of service flowcannot be met; update the notification control status of the thirdquality of service flow to a second state, wherein the second stateindicates that the quality of service requirement of the third qualityof service flow can be met; and send sixth information to the PCFnetwork element, wherein the sixth information is configured to notifythe PCF network element that the notification control status of thethird quality of service flow is the second state, wherein the PCFnetwork element is configured to receive the sixth information from theSMF network element.
 15. The communications system according to claim14, wherein the SMF network element is further configured to receiveseventh information from an access and mobility management function(AMF) network element.
 16. The communications system according to claim15, wherein the seventh information comprises an identifier of thesecond quality of service flow that has been handed over from the firstaccess network device to the second access network device.
 17. Thecommunications system according to claim 14, wherein at least one of thefirst access network device or the second access network device is aradio access network (RAN) device.
 18. The communications systemaccording to claim 14, wherein the SMF network element is furtherconfigured to send third information to the PCF network element.
 19. Thecommunications system according to claim 18, wherein the thirdinformation is configured to trigger the PCF network element to updatethe notification control status.
 20. The communications system accordingto claim 18, wherein the third information informs the PCF networkelement that the at least one quality of service flow has beensuccessfully handed over.
 21. A communication method, comprising:determining, by a session management function (SMF) network element, areceived notification control status that is of at least one quality ofservice flow and that is from a first access network device;determining, by the SMF network element when a second quality of serviceflow in the at least one quality of service flow has been handed overfrom the first access network device to a second access network device,a third quality of service flow whose notification control status was afirst state in the second quality of service flow, wherein the firststate indicates that a quality of service requirement of the thirdquality of service flow cannot be met; updating, by the SMF networkelement, the notification control status of the third quality of serviceflow to a second state, wherein the second state indicates that thequality of service requirement of the third quality of service flow canbe met; sending sixth information to a policy control function (PCF)network element, wherein the sixth information is configured to notifythe PCF network element that the notification control status of thethird quality of service flow is the second state; and receiving, by thePCF network element, the sixth information from the SMF network element.22. The communication method according to claim 21, further comprisingreceiving, by the SMF network element, seventh information from anaccess and mobility management function (AMF) network element.
 23. Thecommunication method according to claim 22, wherein the seventhinformation comprises an identifier of the second quality of serviceflow that has been handed over from the first access network device tothe second access network device.
 24. The communication method accordingto claim 21, wherein at least one of the first access network device orthe second access network device is a radio access network (RAN) device.25. The communication method according to claim 21, further comprisingsending, by the SMF network element, third information to the PCFnetwork element, wherein the third information triggers the PCF networkelement to update the notification control status.